For once: it is not Mademoiselle Bon Plan writing this article, but her favorite photographer (she says so herself, I’m not making it up!). This time, I’m taking you to visit Saint-Émilion in the Gironde region. The perfect opportunity arose during the broadcast on the channel Voyage of the “France” episode of the documentary series “The Wonders of UNESCO,” which makes a stop in this charming medieval village with its incredibly rich heritage. It is, by the way, the unmissable excursion to schedule if you are planning to visit Bordeaux and its surroundings!
Since 1999, this village of 1,800 inhabitants, which welcomes a million tourists every year, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. More precisely, it is its “cultural landscape” that is classified (which encompasses the village, the vineyards, the gastronomy… Everything, really).
This documentary (filmed mainly by drone) offers superb images of the village and immediately makes you want to go there. If you are still wondering what to do in Saint-Émilion for your next vacation or your next weekend getaway, this article is for you. And if you are still looking for where to stay in Bordeaux to easily radiate out into the wine region, don’t hesitate to check out my suggestions. In the meantime, we are heading to Saint-Émilion for an ultra-gourmet discovery, between a Grand Cru Classé and a Michelin-starred table!
The Wonders of UNESCO (4 episodes: France, Italy, Greece, Spain)
4 x 52 minutes, aired on Sundays at 8:50 PM starting October 13, 2019.
Director: Luca Bergamaschi
VOYAGE Channel
Place des Créneaux Le Doyenné, 33330 Saint-Émilion
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Château Angélus
Château Angélus is a sacred temple of Saint-Émilion wine and an icon of French wine production. Held since the 18th century by the de Boüard de Laforest family (8 generations), it is a traditional estate in the purest sense of the term, but one that constantly evolves under the impetus of each generation. In particular thanks to Hubert de Boüard, an outstanding winemaker who travels the world to share his knowledge with other vineyards and who has now passed the torch to his daughter.
This estate received the “Premier Grand Cru Classé A” label in 2012, the highest distinction for a Saint-Émilion wine, and it is also one of the first major estates to switch to organic despite the technical constraints linked to the region and its climate.
A little fun fact for cinephiles: you can find the château’s bottles in numerous films, including the James Bond movies with Daniel Craig.
I visited the château during the harvest season, which is to say there was a beautiful and intoxicating (had to say it) smell of grapes inside the building. The estate possesses concrete vats as well as wood and stainless steel ones. As if eras and techniques lived side by side to together deliver an exceptional wine.
Because yes, the wine here is exceptional. So exceptional that its price is enough to make you pale (their flagship bottle is 300-400 euros…). So, if you can’t manage to bring back cases of 6 bottles, you can always be satisfied with tasting one once in your life!
The estate mainly cultivates two grape varieties: merlot and cabernet franc. Upon tasting, these wines reveal themselves to be delicate with silky tannins. They have superb length on the palate and leave a memorable impression… We are definitely dealing with very good wine. It is the fruit of exceptional work.
33330 Saint-Emilion
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Le Logis de la Cadène
Château Angélus launched into the restaurant business 6 years ago with Le Logis de la Cadène. With the help of its young chef, Alexandre Baumard, who has worked with, among others, the world-famous chef Paul Bocuse, who passed away last year, the restaurant quickly obtained a Michelin star.
On the plate, you discover refined and balanced cuisine that highlights seasonal products. Furthermore, the restaurant possesses a superb wine cellar (not very surprising) with, of course, the wines from Château Angélus, but also wines from all horizons.
To taste:
- For the starter, I chose Guillame Ge’s Tuber Aestivum truffles in risotto, bound with parmesan. A perfectly balanced delight, the truffle does not overpower the other flavors and the risotto maintains its crunch.
- For the main course, I had the choice between squab or John Dory; I chose the John Dory (though the meat looked amazing). It was prepared lightly seared, with zucchini flowers stuffed with langoustines, condiments, ratatouille, and an anise-flavored fish soup. A real success.
- Finally, to make the end of this meal perfect, I let myself be tempted by the blackberry, inspired by a vacherin, a dome of yuzu sorbet and blackberry compote, with iced parfait and tarragon cream. But the choice below of fig with a soft chocolate cookie certainly wouldn’t have displeased me either…
3 Place du Marché au Bois, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 12 p.m.–1:45 p.m., 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Price: Signatures menu at 75 € per person (140 € with 3 glasses of wine)
Good deal: Market menu (Only for lunch, excluding weekends and public holidays) at 39 € with starter + main course + dessert
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Thanks to the Voyage channel for this invitation and this wonderful discovery.
I hope that with all this I have made you want to discover Saint-Émilion, and if you, too, have your favorite spots and good tips for this village, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Find all my travel articles below:
⇒ All my articles on Nouvelle-Aquitaine
⇒ All my articles about wine
⇒ All my articles about wine tourism
MY WINE TOURISM DISCOVERIES
⇒ The Burgundy Wine Route
⇒ Lirac Wines
⇒ Vacqueyras Wines
⇒ Cognac, discover the city and its alcohol
⇒ Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux
⇒ The Percée du Vin Jaune in the Jura
⇒ Luberon Wines
Photo credits: Nicolas Diolez
Photos are not royalty-free; permission from the photographer is required before any use
